A Scripta

"Well, look who's here! Frosty, ol' buddy!"

Frost turned at the voice and stifled a small groan. A black-skinned man, with fragile blue and red wings, stood just slightly behind him.

"What, no hug for me? I'm hurt."

Frost folded his arms across his chest and watched him advance. "Grim," he said quietly.

"Yes! That's my name, don't wear it out. How's it going? How's your boyfriend?"

Some people turned around to look at Frost, but he ignored the looks.

"I miss looking into his big, blue eyes, massaging his big shoulders, rustling his hair, petting his--"

"Did you come here to sell anything?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. But I'm so happy to see you." He walked over and put a comradely arm around Frost's shoulders. Frost immediately shrugged him off, irritated. Grim stepped back, a broad smile on his face. "Aw, Frosty, now I'm really hurt. We queers, we have to stick together, you know."

"I have some work to do," Frost replied, now angry.

"You admit it, Frosty, don't you - "

"My orientation is no one's business but my own," he almost snarled at Grim. Grim's grin grew wider, as he put his hand on Frost's arm.

"Is that your hand on my boyfriend?" came a deep, growling voice from behind Grim, just loud enough for the two men to hear. "Better take it off before I tear off your head."

Frost stepped away, turning to face Masonry who had come up behind them. "Don't, Mase, it's not worth it."

"It would be very worth it," Masonry growled again, his eyes never leaving the back of Grim's neck. "Touch him again and I swear I'll hurt you."

Grim smiled, poked Frost, and folded his arms across his chest. Masonry reached out and grabbed at Grim's neck, but Grim danced away. "Eh eh eh, heroes don't hit heroes at Wentworth's, even when one cheats another." He grinned again at Frost.

Frost bristled at the allegation, while Masonry took another step forward. This time Grim didn't move. "Go ahead, and they'll throw you out faster than when you got out of jail free with a Lodestar on your back."

Masonry stood, his hands clenched at his sides. He noticed one of the Wentworth's employees speak into his headset. He saw Frost's frown, and rocked back on his heels as if physically stopped.

Grim laughed. "He's got you pussy-whipped, doesn't he?"

"I think you'd better leave," Masonry said quietly.

"I got some work to do, first. Just a friendly conversation among friends, aren't we ol' buddy? After all, you did take me on Christmas. I was a sorry substitute for who you really wanted, wasn't I? Did you enjoy it, because I sure as hell didn't." Grim's face slowly lost its smile.

Masonry slowly raised his head, defiance in his eyes. "If you won't leave, then I will." He nodded to Frost and started to leave Wentworth's.

"That's right, walk out!" Grim yelled, attracting some attention. "Now that you got what you wanted, what am I to you, huh?"

Masonry stopped.

"Nothin', right?"

Masonry seemed to nod, and kept right on walking. Frost gazed for a moment at Grim, shook his head, and went back to the markets, leaving Grim standing in the center of Wentworth's, his own darkness oozing out around him.